YouTuber Mohandas was brought to Thiruvananthapuram station late on Sunday night.
Kerala Police arrested right-wing commentator and YouTuber TG Mohandas on Monday. He is accused of making controversial remarks about students protesting at Jantar Mantar against the NEET paper leak.
Police have also seized digital devices as part of the investigation. According to the police, Mohandas uploaded videos on his YouTube channel, ‘Pathrika’, on July 24 and 25.
In the videos, Mohandas said that “gang rape incidents could happen” during the protest at Jantar Mantar. He claimed there would be no complaints because those taking part in the protest “like rape” and that some girls “enjoy rape”.
He also said that if he were in charge, he would impose a curfew at Jantar Mantar and order the protesters to leave. If they refused to comply, he said he would order the police to open fire.
YouTube channel investigated, digital devices seized
Police registered a case and began an investigation after receiving the complaint. Mohandas was detained from his home in Kochi on Sunday. He was brought to the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police Station at midnight, where he was arrested. He will be produced in court on Monday.
Police said they have gathered information related to Mohandas’s YouTube account. They have also seized the digital devices used to create and upload the videos. These will be presented in court and sent for forensic examination.
Police have currently registered a case against Mohandas under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Information Technology Act, and the Keralam Police Act. Additional sections may be added as the investigation progresses.
These include charges such as deliberately creating a situation that may incite a riot, publishing or circulating false statements, rumours or reports and harassing a person through any medium of communication.
Asked to remove the video from social media platforms
Police have also requested the relevant social media operators to remove the controversial video. Officials say the video and related digital evidence will be examined during the investigation.
Security increased outside police station and court
A large crowd gathered outside Mohandas’s Kochi home when he was taken into custody on Sunday. Police are on high alert for possible crowds or protests around the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police Station and the relevant court.
BJP councillor calls it political drama
Kochi BJP ward councillor Priya Prashant claimed that the sections of law applied against Mohandas carry a sentence of less than three years, so his arrest was not necessary in such cases. She called the action political drama aimed at pleasing the Congress.
